More than 120 graduates from Wakefield College’s University Centre have been acknowledged for their academic achievements as part of a Graduation ceremony at Wakefield Cathedral.
Graduates were joined by their family and friends, as well as their tutors and support staff of the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, as they marked the momentous occasion.
Taking place on Wednesday 8th November, the ceremony commenced with a procession of academic staff and special guests including the Dean of Wakefield, the Very Reverend Simon Cowling, and the Deputy Mayor of Wakefield, Councillor Darren Byford.
Representatives from the University Centre’s Awarding Bodies were also present at the ceremony including Dr. Lynn Senior, Consortium Director at Huddersfield University, Professor James Woodall, a Reader and Head of Subject in Health Promotion at Leeds Beckett University, and Deborah Robinson, Interim Dean at the University of Hull.
Sam Wright, Principal and Chief Executive at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, commenced the Awards Ceremony by acknowledging the graduates for their outstanding achievements.
Sam said: “Our graduates have invested considerable time and energy in achieving success in their studies and it’s a true honour to be able to acknowledge their hard work and commitment alongside their loved ones, as well as colleagues and key partners of the University Centre. Many of our students have completed a degree-level qualification whilst dealing with the effects of the pandemic and alongside other commitments such as working full-time or raising a family, and this is no mean feat. I hope our graduates are incredibly proud of themselves and their achievements, and I wish them all the best for their prosperous futures.”
This was followed by guest speaker Faye Banks, Global Director of Electrical Transmission & Distribution at Turner & Townsend, who congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to always believe in and challenge themselves, as they embark on their next steps.
A former apprentice of Wakefield College, Faye has won a number of national accolades including UK Young Woman Engineer of the Year, and is in the UK Top 50 female engineers, Open University Alumni of the Year and has received the National Higher Education Gold Award. Guest speaker Faye Banks congratulating graduates on their achievements
Graduands were then invited up to the stage by Jason Pepper, Group Executive Director of Finance and Resources, to be presented with their certificates by Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Governor, Martyn Shaw.
Successfully completing degree-level programmes across the University Centre at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Higher Education provision, the graduates were awarded with Foundation Degrees, Full Degrees, Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, Top-Up Degrees and Teacher Training qualifications.
Validated by some of the region's most well-established universities, the programmes cover a wide range of subject areas including Animal Management, Art & Design, Business, Construction, Childhood Studies, Digital Technologies, Education, Engineering, Health & Wellbeing, Music, Performing Arts, Public Services, Social Science, Sport and more.
Results of the latest National Student Survey revealed that the University Centre placed significantly higher than the national average for student experience, with over 92% of students stating they feel positive about the teaching and support they receive at the University Centre, 8% higher than the sector average.